The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-23
FROM DARK TO WHITE.
A Case which Puzzles the LEGAL
Medical Pr0fessios.
Julia wipnsld, q Negro woman,
UnaeRg0es an Almost Gem
plete Change OF Color.

A singular csse, and one pushing to
medical science, has been slowly de-
veloping In this city since the sum.
mer Of 1885. Tbs subject Is y negro
woman, about fifty years Of age, living
in the rear OF No. 81 Adams street, and
known as Julia Mitchell. Prior to the
time mentioned above she was q
bright colcred, though rather dark
skinned person, but now, except In
spots, her color lie as clear white ne
the most favored member OF the
Caucasian race. An APPKAL reporter
visited Julia yesterday, aud questioned
her in regard to the change Of color,
when !. began and the theories she
had heard advanced on the cause.
She stated that during the summer
OF 1895 she went with q Memphis fam.
lily TO Iuks Springs as attendant. They
remained there several weeks, and she
naturally sought to derive as much
health benefit as possible from the
visit The mineral waters were drunk
freely, and within q short time had
the effect Of bringing on slight but fire.
quent spells Of illness. Returning
home, email white spots were noticed
on her hands, arms and face, which
she presumed to betoken impure
blood, aud took medicine TO counter
act and correct II. These spoB grad
ually grew, until they appeared all
over her body, then enlarged until
they combined and eradicated the
dark color entirely, save In scattering
spots. Another singular feature OF the
scientific wonder is that the epots OF
original color lipger only over joints.
The woman's arms are Of pearly white
ness, also her hands, except about the
finger joints. From the tip OF her
nose 10 line just above the eyes the
previous color is undis urbed, the re-
mainder Of the face having undergone
the change. Her hair Ia also white,
and OF such peculiar appearance that
Il is supposed II was caused by the
same agency no that which affected the
skin. Tue woman stated that her entire
body had undergone the same trans
formation, the only remaining traces
OF darkness being about the Joints.
She Gays nearly every physician In
the city has visited her TO examine
the singular freak, and differed widely
In their theories Of the cause. Some
held that IL was natural and healthy,
though unacooun,aole but complete
change. like unto which only very
few cases have heretofore been re-
ported. 0thers inclined 20 the belief
that II was the slow working OF disease,
the result Of which could not DO fore.
told. Still Others, especially the
younger members oil the profession,
gave u uP a. beyond their present in
formation. At all events, the woman
Ia alive and apparently enjoying very
GIs heath 10. enc Of bar years. Her
idea 10 that tho peculiar qualities Of
tee Iuka Springs water caused "a sep.
aration oil the blood"
Julia says she has been approached
by museum agents 10 become identi-
fed with the world OF freaks. Her
main objection 10 lhie. provided an
adequate salary Ia promised, In that
she Tears her lack Of diligence will
be imposed upon and the money
wronefully kept from her. Her col
ored neighbofs strongly urge her 10
adopt the calling OF ourio, but have
90 FAR failed 10 overcome her leading
objection.